Closure and ball applicator assembly



May 2, 1961 w. A. SCHAICH CLOSURE AND BALL APPLICATOR ASSEMBLY Filed April 23, 1959 INV EN TOR JZ M/ M/ 6 United States Patent CLOSURE AND BALL APPLICATOR ASSEMBLY Wilbur A. Schaich, Maumee, Ohio, assignor to Owenslllinois Glass Company, a corporation of Ohio Filed Apr. 23, 1959, Ser. No. 808,339

scams. or. is-s72 The present invention relates to a ball-type applicator assembly and closure for applying smooth and uniform amounts of fluid and semi-fluid substances. The applicator assembly comprises generally a hollow container for retaining a substantial supply of the substance to be applied, an annular fitment threadably attached to the dispensing end of the container, an applicator ball freely confined within the fitment in ball and socketrelationship in a position overlying the dispensing opening of the container and having a minor portion of the ball protruding outwardly from the end of the fitment axially opposite the container for applicating purposes, and a closure adapted to enclose the assembled. ball and fitment when the closure is attached to the container. More particularly, this invention relates to the cooperation of the closure with the fitment to shift thefitment to sealing position upon attachment of the closure to the container and to shift the fitment to a dispensing position uponremoval-of the closure. 1

Applicators of the above. type, commonly referred to i as ball-type applicators, find wide and varied uses, particularly for transferring a smooth and uniform coating of a liquid or semi-liquid substance directly from the container to a selected surface. For example, such balltype applicators find wide commercial use for the application of such substances as deodorants, perfumes, medi cants, and other similar preparations, which it is desirable to apply in controlled amounts directly onto the human skin.

However, in order to prevent objectionable dissipation ofthe containers contents due to evaporation, leakage or other various causes, when the applicator is not being utilized for applicatingpurposes, it has generally been found necessary to provide some means for isolating such contents from the atmosphere. One such means is the use of a ball-type applicator assembly in which an applicator ball and fitment are constructed and arranged in such manner that the assembly is operable to confine the contents of the container in sealed relationship within the container. A problem with this type of ball applicator assembly is that the protruding portion of the applicator ball is left exposed, and subject to damage and to contact with foreign matter. The problem could be solved by the addition of a cap threadably attached to the container. Such a solution would result in duplication of motion and therefore would becommercially undesirable. The present invention is characterized by the adto compensate for variations in the viscosity of the fluid being dispensed.

Accordingly, it is an object ofthe present invention to provide an improved closure and ball-type applicator assembly for use with a fluid dispensing container, which is alternately operable: to shift the ball applicator assembly to a sealing position on attachment of the closure and to shift the ball applicator assembly to a dispensing position upon removal of the closure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide protection for the protruding portion of the applicator ball of a ball-type applicator assembly from damage or foreign matter by the addition of a cap or closure which will not require any additional manual manipulation in the use of the assembly. I

Another important object of this invention is to provide an improved ball applicator package wherein the size of the dispensing orifice may be readily varied by the user to adjust the dispensing rate without interference with the sealability of the package.

The specific nature of this invention, as well as other objects and advantages thereof, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the annexed sheet of drawings on which, by way of example only, the preferred embodiments of this invention are illustrated.

As represented by the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a ball-type applicator package embodying the present invention with the closure removed therefrom.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the closure for the package of Fig. 1. l

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view showing the closure, ball applicator assembly, and container of Figs. 1 and 2 assembled in a non-sealing position.

a container and illustrates a modified form of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view showing the closure,

ball applicator assembly, and container assembled in sealing position with a container having the end portion shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the plane 7-7 of Fig. 3.

The present invention relates to an improved ball-type applicator package for applying smooth and uniform amounts of fluid and semi-fluid substances. The applicator package comprises generally a hollow container 10 for storing a substantial supply of the substance to be applied, an annular fitment 20 threadably attached to the dispensing end 11 of the container 10, an applicator ball 40 freely confined within the fitment 20 in ball and socket relationship in a position overlying the dispensing opening 16 of the container '10 and having a minor portion 42 protruding outwardly from the end of the fitment 20 axially opposite the container 10 for applicating purposes. The closure 30 is cup-shaped and adapted to enclose the assembled ball 40 and fitment 20. On assembly,the closure 3i) interlocks with the said fitment 20 so that subsequent rotation of the closure relative to the container results in the fitment 20 moving axially downward to a sealing positionrelative to the ball 40. In reverse, the closure 30 is rotated to unlock the same from the container 10, thereby causing the fitment to move axially outwardly relative to ball 40 to a dispensing position.

The fitment 20 which may be fabricated from any suitable resilient material, such as polyethylene, has an annular body portion which is internally threaded at 21 adjacent its inner axial end 22 for snug fluid-tight threaded attachment to the threaded neck po'rtion 12 of the container 10. Opposite the threaded end 22 of the fitment 20, the latter defines an outer axial endi23 having a frusto-conical shape and a central opening 25' of smaller diameter than the applicator ball 40. Internally of said outer axial end 23 and surrounding said opening there, is a continuous annular sealing surface 28 which sealingly engages the applicator ball 40 when .the fi tinent-ZOis moved axially downwardly by rotation onthe container threads 12, thereby preventing leakage or evaporation of V the contents of the container 16. Also on the inner axial end 22 of the fitment are circumferentially spaced, axially extending lugs 27, each pair of which forms a keyway 29 therebetween which can be alignedwith a longitudinal notch 14 formed on an enlarged annular shoulder 13 formed on the container 10. Alternatively,of -'course, the keyway 29 formed by the lugs 27 may be replaced by an axially extending groove or recess. While one such keyway 29 and notch 14 will accomplish thedesir'ed functions, a plurality of such are commonly employed andin the illustrated embodiment two pairsof cooperating key-'- ways and notches are provided, oppositely spaced.

The closure 30 is cup-shaped and is preferably fabri='- cated from a relatively rigid plastic material or-metal. The closure is provided with a pair of 'internalprotuberances 31 adjacent its open end which are respectively axially slidable in the keyway 29 on the fitment 20 and the longitudinal notch 14 formed in the enlarged body portion 13 of the container 10 when the closure is assembled thereto. Axially aligned with the protuberance 31 and spaced inward therefrom there is an inwardly projecting spline 32 which interlocks with the keyway 29 formed on the fitment 20. In the end of the closure there is defined a recessed portion 50 which closely conforms to and accommodates the portion 42 of the applicator ball 40 protruding from the central opening 25 of the fitment 20.

The function of the closure 30 is such that when the closure 30 is attached to the container 10 by sliding protub'erances 31 along keyways 29 and notches 14, the closure maybe locked thereon by twisting the closure 30 in the conventional clockwise direction until the protuberances 31 on the interior thereof are shifted beneath the enlarged'shoulder 13 of the container 10. Concurrently, the splines 32 formed on the interior of the closure 30 will byvirtue of their interlocking action with the keyways 29 'on the exterior surface of the fitment 20 tighten the'latter on the container threads 12 and draw the same axially downwardly until the annular sealing surface 28 of the fitment 20 is firmly engaged with the surface of the applicator ball 4b in sealing relationship. Additionally, the-fitment 20 seals against the container 10 by engagement-of aninternal shoulder 26 f the fitment with the end'face 10a of the container 10. However, theaxial movement of the fitment 20 will produce a dead-air space around the end of ball 40 and fitment 20 when the closure 30 is attached to the container 10.

In reverse manner, removal of the closure 30 from the container 10 by counter-clockwise rotation to align protuberances 31 with notches 14 will loosen the threaded engagement between the fitment 20 and the neck portion 12 of the container 19 and withdraw the sealing surface 28 within the fitment 20 away from the surface of the applicator ball 40 so that the applicator assembly will be immediately ready for use as soon as the closure is completely removed.

Alternatively to minimize the dead-air space, the modification shown in Figs. and 6 may be employed. The radial shoulder 15 on the container is given a helical contour with the same pitch as the container threads 12; thus, the closure 30, the interior of which clo'sely conforms to the shape of the ball 40 and fitment 20 in sealed position, moves downwardly with the fitment 20 as it ro tates-on the container threads 12.

An outstanding advantage of the described construction is the ready adjustability of the annular dispensing orifice 24' defined between the ball 40 and the sealing surface 28 when the fitment 20 is in its dispensing position relative to.

either -direction on containerthreads '12 to alignthe next keyway 29 with the notch '14. Hence the dispensing orifice 24 will be either increased or decreased, depending on the direction of rotation, yet the subsequent application of closure 30 will still effect the sealing of the package and the removal of the closure .will automatically return the fitment to its newly adjusteddispensing position.

While the described embodiment has utilized protubefi ances or lugs on the closure cooperating with keyways or grooves on the fitment and container, it will be'obvious that these components could be'reversed, i.e., lugs could be provided on the fitment and container to'cooperate with grooves in the closure.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the present invention embodies many advantages over prior art types of applicator assemblies, among which is the ready adjustability of the dispensing rate and the unique cooperation between the closure and fitment to convert the package from sealed todispensing condition by a single manual manipulation and without duplication of motion.

It will, of co'urse, be understood that various details of construction may be modified through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and it is not, therefore, the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

I. A dispensing-package for fluid substances comprising a container having an open end and a threaded portion adjacent said open end, an applicating ball, an annular ball retaining element threadably mounted on said threaded container'portion and having at its outer axial end an annular retaining lip of less diameter than said ball, said ball retaining element supporting said applicating ball in overlying relationship to said container open end with a minor portion of the ball projecting outwardly from said lip, whereby rotation of said ball retaining element relative to said container effects an axial shifting of said retaining lip relative to said ball between a closed position in continuous sealing contact with said ball and an open, dispensing position proximately spaced from said ball surface, a closure element adapted to surround said ball retaining element and said applicating ball, an axially extending, interengaging lug and groove respectively provided on said elements, whereby rotation of said closure element effects shifting ofsaid ball retaining element on said threaded container portion between its said opened and closed positions, and cooperating fastening means respectively formed on said container and said closure element and selectively operable'by relative rotation between said closure element and said container to lock said closure element on said container or to permit the removal of said closure element from said container.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 plus a plurality of additional axially extending grooves on said element having said groove, said additional grooves being circumferentially spaced from said first-mentioned groove and selectively cooperable with said lug, thereby permitting adjustment of said dispensing position of said ball retaining element.

3. A dispensing package for fluid substances comprising a container having an open end and a threaded portion adjacent said open end and an external shoulder below said threaded portion, said shoulder having an axially extending notch therein, an applicating ball, an annular ball retaining element threadably. mounted on said threaded container portion and having at its outer axial end an annular retaining lip of less diameter than said ball, said ball retaining element supporting said applicating ball in overlying relationship to said container open end with a'minor portion of the ball projecting beyond" said lip, whereby rotation of said ball retaining element container 10. Thesusen maysimply rotatefitment 20.ins relativesto saidscontainenefiects an axial shiftingofsaid projecting lug on said closure traversable through said 6. For use with a container having an open end and a threaded portion adjacent said open end, a fluid dispenser comprising an annular ball retaining element hav 3 ing threads at one axial end adapted to threadably engage notch and adapted to underlie said shoulder, whereby axial 7 application of said closure followed by rotation thereof effects securement of said closureto said container, and interlocking means operative between said closure and said ball retaining element to concurrently rotate said ball retaining element on said container threads to said sealed position on rotationof said closure.

4. The combination defined in claim 3 wherein said last mentioned means comprises an axially extending groove on the exterior of said ball retaining element alignable with said container notch in said open position, and an internally projecting lug on said closure cooperable with said groove in said ball retaining element.

5. The combination defined inclaim 4 plus a plurality of additional axially extending grooves on said ball retaining element circumferentially spaced from said axially extending groove and selectively alignable with said container notch, therebypermitting adjustment of said dis 2,746,631 Witz May 22,1956

pensing position of said ball retaining element.

said threaded container portion and having at the other axial end a radially inwardly directed sealing surface, an applicator ball Within said retaining element having a portion extending beyond said sealing surface, said sealing surface being axially shiftable relative to said ball between continuous sealing contact with said ball and an open dispensing position on rotation of said retaining element relative to said container, a closure element adapted to surround said retaining element and ball, said retaining and closure elements respectively having cooperating means for locking said elements in co-rotatable relationship, and fastening means on said closure element adapted to engage with cooperable means on said container operable by relative rotation between said closure and said container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 576,596 Marsh Feb. 9, 1897 

